Early afternoon 3 weeks ago I joined with Oriel O’ Gorman, the pastor at the local, independent Arklow Baptist church. We spent some time in prayer in the park in the centre of town that used to be a graveyard and still has the headstones as “decoration” around the walls. The weather was very damp, not actual rain but more of what in Ireland is called a “soft” day; heavy misty weather which looks not too bad but soaks to the skin after any length of time.
Oriel took the first step up to preach while I stood below on the street to engage people in direct one-to-one discussion which comes about as a result of the preaching. Almost immediately a young woman and younger man came along and stopped to talk, the young man had previously had a discussion with Oriel and as a result had decided to become more religious but had not been born again. The woman was his sister and she had been a Goth and Satanist, she told me that she had been to see the priest and he had told her there was no hope for her since she had worshipped Satan.
I talked at length to her, she claimed not to believe in God but I challenged that anyone could be a Satanist if there was no God. She admitted to the witness of creation and her conscience being evidence for God. I spoke to her about the 2 thieves and how they had both reviled Jesus to His face even as He was dying to pay the punishment for their sins and that one repented, a man due to die on a few hours he admitted his guilt and just punishment, he declared the innocence of Jesus and he acknowledged Jesus as Lord and asked Jesus to save him. He did.
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luk 23:39-43) ESV.
The following Sunday they both showed up for the meeting at Arklow Baptist church and after a strongly evangelistic message from Oriel they both came forward at the end and called on Jesus to save them. Since then they have been attending Bible study, prayer meetings and preaching service.
I thank my God for His work in their lives and that they are trusting Jesus alone for salvation.